Moving to Napavine, Washington

by btobers · Published July 2, 2019 · Updated November 18, 2024

Napavine is a small city located in Lewis County, Washington. The population of Napavine was 2,732 at the 2020 census. Napavine is located in a rural area of the state, surrounded by rolling hills and forests. The climate in Napavine is mild and temperate, with an average annual temperature of 50°F.

The history of Napavine dates back to 1888 when it was founded by settlers from the nearby Cowlitz River valley. Since then, the city has seen its share of growth and development as it has become an important part of Lewis County’s economy. Agriculture has been a major industry in the area for generations, with logging and timber production also playing an important role in the local economy.

Education is provided by the Napavine School District which consists of four elementary schools, one middle school, one high school, and one alternative learning center. The district also provides vocational education programs as well as special education services.

Some of the most notable landmarks in Napavine include two museums: The Lewis County Historical Museum and The Cowlitz Indian Museum. Both museums provide visitors with insight into the history and culture of this region through exhibits on topics such as Native American artifacts and early settler life. In addition to these two museums, there are several parks located throughout town including Lions Park which features playground equipment, picnic tables, and a walking trail; Pioneer Park with its baseball fields; and Lake Sacajawea which has a fishing pier and boat launch areas for visitors to enjoy year-round recreation activities.

Population: 1,361. Estimated population in July 2024: 1,449 (+6.5% change)
Males: 661 (48.6%), Females: 700 (51.4%)

Lewis County

Zip code: 98565

Demographics

Median resident age: 29.0 years
Median household income: $40,966
Median house value: $109,800

Population by Race

Races in Napavine:

White Non-Hispanic (91.0%)
Hispanic (5.7%)
Other race (3.3%)
American Indian (1.8%)
Two or more races (1.5%)

(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Ancestries: German (16.6%), English (8.5%), Irish (8.5%), United States (7.3%), French (3.3%), Norwegian (2.6%).

Elevation: 444 feet

Land area: 0.8 square miles

Population by Education

Neah Napavine is a small town located in Lewis County, Washington. With a population of just over 900, it is one of the smaller towns in the area. The majority of Neah Napavine’s population is white, with a small percentage of African Americans and Native Americans. The median household income for Neah Napavine is $43,000 per year, which is slightly higher than the national average.

Living costs in Neah Napavine are fairly low compared to other areas in Washington state. Rent prices are lower than the national average and range from $650-$1,000 per month for a two-bedroom apartment. Utility costs are also lower than the national average, with an average monthly cost of around $150 for electricity and water combined. Groceries are slightly more expensive than the national average due to the fact that there are no major grocery stores in town. However, residents can find affordable produce at local farmers markets or at one of the smaller grocery stores within town limits. Property taxes also tend to be lower than other areas in Washington state due to its low population density. In general, Neah Napavine offers an affordable living option for those looking to move to an area with a small-town feel.

For population 25 years and over in Napavine

High school or higher: 84.1%
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 11.9%
Graduate or professional degree: 3.6%
Unemployed: 6.6%
Mean travel time to work: 25.2 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Napavine city

Never married: 23.3%
Now married: 58.3%
Separated: 2.3%
Widowed: 4.8%
Divorced: 11.2%

6.2% Foreign born (2.9% Europe, 2.9% Latin America).

Population change in the 1990s: +612 (+81.7%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Napavine:

PROVIDENCE CENTRALIA HOSPITAL (about 11 miles; CENTRALIA, WA)
HOSPICE CARE CENTER HOSPITAL (about 30 miles; LONGVIEW, WA)
PEACEHEALTH ST JOHN MEDICAL CENTER (about 30 miles; LONGVIEW, WA)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Napavine:

OLYMPIA (about 27 miles; OLYMPIA, WA; Abbreviation: OLM)
GRAY AAF (about 42 miles; FORT LEWIS/TACOMA, WA; Abbreviation: GRF)
MCCHORD AFB (about 49 miles; TACOMA, WA; Abbreviation: TCM)

Other public-use airports nearest to Napavine:

CHEHALIS-CENTRALIA (about 8 miles; CHEHALIS, WA; Abbreviation: CLS)
TOLEDO-WINLOCK ED CARLSON MEMORIAL FIELD (about 11 miles; TOLEDO, WA; Abbreviation: TDO)
R & K SKYRANCH (about 21 miles; ROCHESTER, WA; Abbreviation: 8W9)

Amtrak station near Napavine:

10 miles: CENTRALIA (210 RAILROAD AVE.). Services: ticket office, fully wheelchair accessible, enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, free short-term parking, free long-term parking, taxi stand, public transit connection.

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Napavine:

SOUTH PUGET SOUND COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 28 miles; OLYMPIA, WA; Full-time enrollment: 2,908)
LOWER COLUMBIA COLLEGE (about 30 miles; LONGVIEW, WA; Full-time enrollment: 2,237)
EVERGREEN STATE COLLEGE (about 34 miles; OLYMPIA, WA; Full-time enrollment: 3,749)
PIERCE COLLEGE AT FORT STEILACOOM (about 47 miles; LAKEWOOD, WA; Full-time enrollment: 5,921)
CLOVER PARK TECHNICAL COLLEGE (about 50 miles; LAKEWOOD, WA; Full-time enrollment: 3,819)
TACOMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 54 miles; TACOMA, WA; Full-time enrollment: 3,710)
BATES TECHNICAL COLLEGE (about 56 miles; TACOMA, WA; Full-time enrollment: 3,710)

Schools

Public high school in Napavine:

NAPAVINE JR SR HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 339; Location: 404 4TH AVE NE; Grades: 07 – 12)

Public primary/middle school in Napavine:

NAPAVINE ELEMENTARY (Students: 357; Location: 209 E. PARK STREET; Grades: PK – 06)